Kompleks Sejarah Kuala Kempas

I passed this coastal road so many times and saw the signboard 'Kompleks Sejarah Kuala Kempas', and always meant to stop and see it but didn't make an effort to do so. Finally on the way back to PD yesterday, I stopped and entered the complex. This is another historical site marking the spread of Islam in Malaysia, which very few people know or bother to know. The complex is along kampung road on the way to Linggi from PD. You can't find it if you travel by the highway and have to exit at PD or Linggi.


It's a serene place surrounded by greens. I didn't see any caretaker except a young man who was mopping the complex floor. I thought he was the caretaker. Actually he was just a visitor like me who came during his lunch break but was displeased to see the place dirty, especially the surau. As there was a pail and a mop, he took the initiative to mop the floor clean. I do appreciate this initiative and wish more Malaysians are like that. I joined forces by picking rubbish thrown by visitors at the grave site but there was no rubbish bins!! An old pail became rubbish bin and I hope it will stay there and somebody will empty it at the right place.












According to the information board, this historic place is called Keramat Sungai Udang Port Dickson where the tomb of Syeikh Ahmad Majmun is found together with Kuala Kempas megalithic stone or 'Batu Hidup'.





















Syeikh Ahmad Majnun is a
renowned Muslim theologian who propagated Islam during the Melaka Sultanate. Based on the inscription on the tombstone, this is one of the oldest Muslim gravesites found in Malaysia - 1467-1468. The megalithic stone was in existence since the second or third century.























There is a signboard in red prohibiting anyone, especially Muslims, to use it for worship, for nazar, prayer etc. as it is against the teaching of Islam. A surau in the complex is provided for Muslims to pray. A number of questions keep playing in my mind but there were no answers -no explanation of the grave found there, the megalithic stones and how they were formed, what are their significance etc. In other words, No labelling!


An old well, still functional, has no historical explanation. I wonder what was the story behind this old well. Anyway, I am glad I stopped to visit, at least my curiosity is satisfied.

Follow-up

Remember my poor cousin, Jaafar, in Chengkau? Well a month over has passed and I have not had any news of the progress of the PPRT house that he applied. I kept quiet for a while due to Raya and other occasions. I know nothing would move when everyone is in holiday mood. I guess I am right. I didn't have any news at all - zilt!

I called my cousin, Sham, Jaafar's younger sister who takes care of him and enquired if there is any news or development. No, nothing! I told her I would be going to Kota to see the ADUN today (Tuesday). She freaked out and begged me not to go and see him. I couldn't believe my ears. She pleaded to let the request for Jaafar's house alone and not to push anymore. 'Sabar kak, ada rezeki Jaafar tu nanti.' She said. Sabar? for how long?? It's coming to 2 years! What assurance does she have for the application to be fulfilled if no follow-up is done? I was upset and puzzled over her request. Something must have happened that made her panick.

She is being misunderstood by the people who are supposed to help and they have become cynical. I don't know how much it's true and how she was treated but I definitely do not agree for her to just keep quiet and leave it to rezeki. This is such a defeatist attitude which I don't agree at all. I believe she has to stand up for Jaafar's rights and do a regular follow-up to see the progress. In some way I understand her fear - fear of retaliation by delaying the request. She made me promised not to go or contact people in the welfare department. I wasn't happy at all especially when she told me that the two months welfare aid that Jaafar wasn't able to collect because of ignorance, was not refunded to him. He was paid only RM30.00. Why, why, why??? This is real aniaya!! I am all ready to go to the department to find out but again she pleaded to let it be. What can I do?? I supposed she must have heard negative comments that her aggressive cousin is creating ripples. I wouldn't have cared.

Since I didn't make any firm promise not to go to Kota, I quietly drove there and arrived about 11 am. Unfortunately the DUN office is closed. I waited for an hour and finally left but I came prepared with a letter detailing the process from the beginning, the promise, the hope and the kind words but are they just words? I didn't get to see the YB but I visited Jaafar bringing some food. He was just as confused as before and the house was in a mess. Sham couldn't come back as often because of work. She still has to support her son who is still in college.

I haven't given up yet. I will respect Sham's request but I want to see for how long action will be taken. It's sad if orang Melayu is unwilling to help bangsa sendiri. The PHD attitude should be eradicated in the heart of the Malays, otherwise we will be a downtrodden race. Is this what life is?

I have one upset today and another big one was waiting for me. I just found out that for 3 months my pensions were not paid. No wonder my BSN saving is almost zero. So I wrote an email for Aduan at Bahagian Pencen, and now eagerly waiting for their reply. It's such a puzzle. This is the first time I experience this situation. Imagine, if my source of survival depends on the pension, what will happen to me - tak makanlah agaknya. This is what the poor will experience if they are being taken advantage of. Anyway, I wrote to tell them that I am still alive and kicking.

Thinking with the heart will make us more human.

Anticipation

Cesily and I waited for Sharipah and Jin Kim to buy clothes and toys for their grandchildren in the Waterfront Mall in Cape Town, South Africa in 2004. We waited and waited and they didn't appear. Tired of waiting, we ate ice cream, window shopped and sat down to talk. Still there were no Sharipah and no Jin. Displeased, we went hunting for them in a shop selling children's clothes. So engrosed, they didn't even notice us coming behind them. These two gramdmas had a good time looking, selecting and buying clothes for their 4 grandchildren (Sharipah and Jin have 2 each) and forgot that there were 2 could be grandmas waiting outside. Back at the hotel they excitedly showed us their spoils and admiring, imagining how their grandchildren would look like in them. Ces and I weren't so interested and wondered why they took so long to buy tiny pieces of clothes for the kids. Both of them told us repeatedly, ' You'll be like us too when you have grandchildren!'

I don't know how good I would be as a grandmother and I have longed to be one for a long time since Maz got married 10 years ago. Syukur alhamdullilah, Justin and Ika are going to make me a grandma in April 2010. I pray everything will be find and good for Ika and baby. How do I feel when I got the news a month back? I was happy, of course but more concerned about the stability of Ika's pregnancy. I went back to PJ, called and sms her asking how she is doing in her early stage of pregnancy. So far, everything is OK and I am grateful to Allah.

Everyone is excited at this good news and I got loads of congratulations which Justin and Ika should receive. Ika is elated but complained about her morning sickness and change of her tolerance of any scents around her. Above all, Justin in his calm way, is so pleased to be a father and dotes on Ika. They really are a loving couple and I hope they continue to be so for a long, long time until old age.

My heart beats faster when I saw the scan pictures of my grandchild. It was quite an emotional moment for me and I can't help smiling all day. I prayed syukur to Allah and wish Ika is well - my first daughter whom I love very much ( I love Maz and Izrin as well). I bet Maz is going to be a great aunt and Izrin, a wonderful uncle and Ika's child will bask in loving attention from a first-time auntie and uncle.

2010 is going to be an eventful year for me. I am sorry Mageswary and Fatahyah that I have to cancel my plan to visit both of you in April 2010. Insyaallah some day I will make my way to UK again, before Fatahyah returns home and for me to meet Mages' fiancee in Ireland. Meanwhile all the best to both of you.

I am going to perform my Haj for the second time, leaving in mid November. I'll pray that everything is fine for Ika, Justin and baby.

With positive anticipation to be a superb grandma!

VVIP

I have a very important visitor last week who stayed a week with me in PD. I devoted my entire time to him, making sure his food was always there, comfortable and well protected from any danger or disaster but he wasn't happy. He moped around, refused to leave the apartment and hid himself when he heard unfamiliar voices. I suspected he was unhappy and depressed, no matter how much I coaxed him to go out for a walk, he refused until I scooped him in my arms and took him out. My adorable Mok was with me all week. I took him to see a vet in PD, had him groomed, cut his fingernails, bathed him, cleaned his ears, nose and teeth - he smelt so sweet after that. Ika was frantic at home telling me maybe she had accidentally knocked Mok when she reversed the car. I rushed home to see him but he looked OK - no pining, no limping, in fact he was as blurr as usual. I was going back to PD so I decided to take him with me so that he can be examined by the vet and later enjoy the sea breeze which he liked so much before.

It must be very bewildering for him to be in a new place. Being so timid and a homebody, he panicked at a new place and simply ran as fast as his fat legs can carry him. I chased and held him in my arms, soothing him. Since it was Deepavali week, a number of Indian visitors were there and as usual the noise was unbearable especially the firecrackers. I could feel Mok trembled with fear with the crackling of the firecrackers, his heart raced so fast as he snuggled so closed to me for comfort. Poor Mok! Taking him for a walk along the corridor was quite a hassle as he refused to go further and turned back to the apartment every now and then. No matter how much I coaxed him he still refused to venture out.

Finally when he was settled on the steps to the hotel building, I did my regular exercise - walking up and down the short steps a dozen times until he was bored and ran back to the apartment. Honestly, it was a funny sight seeing his fat backkside and short legs wobling along the corridor. He attracted attention with different reaction. Some were so scared when they saw him, not sure whether he was a dog or a cat, friendly or fierce. When I assured them that he was such a docile cat, many loved touching his his thick coat of hair and patted him lovingly. Mok knows he is a handsome cat.









I took him back to PJ and he was quiet most of the way. The moment I arrived at my front gate in PJ, he started miewing and climbing all over the place, excited that he was home at last. I was amazed at his behaviour - how he recognized his home even before the gate was opened. When I let him out of the car, he just sat in front of the door waiting for me to open it for him to enter and he really lepak on the floor with his usual posture - flat on his stomach!















Now he is secured at home adored by Ika, Justin and Izrin. Before I leave for Haj, he is coming to PD again for his routine grooming and examination. Mok is quite high maintainance!!

I love you Mok and can't imagine life without you.

To update my glaucoma condition, I am glad to report that for the last 3 checkups, my doctors are happy that my eye pressure is stable and no further damage is detected. I am relieved and hope it will continue to be this good. The stress-free lifestyle and the regular exercise help a lot, I think. The Permata Hijrah treatment does play a role in helping me to stabalize the pressure - that is what I suspect and I'll continue to use the treatment and pray for the best. My recent complain is the cataract in my left eye, though not serious, it causes some difficulty to read road signs. I'll wait and see what will happen next.

Please pray for my safe return from Haj with Haji Mabrur.

Election

The Bagan Pinang, Port Dickson by-election is today. I bet everyone who is interested in politics will stay up tonight to find out the result. Last week, on Nomination day, I was at my apartment, thanking God that I didn't plan to go out. The road was jammed with supporters of PKR and Barisan and traffic was crawling like snail. Policemen, in uniform and plain clothes, were everywhere. Then I decided that on election day I must scoot out of PD. Chen, the PD Ascot Manager said she took hours to reach the office which normally time taken was only half an hour. What I fear most was the unruly behaviour of party supporters especially when they are under the influence of alcohol. I detest this barbaric behaviour. Now I am in PJ, I wonder what is happening in PD.

On Saturday 10 Oct 2009, I have to drive to Stadium Tertutup Nilai to attend the Haj Kursus Perdana. It was efficiently managed by Tabung Haji and I am happy I got to hear the talk on H1N1. Now I have an idea of how to take care of myself in a huge crowd like in Mecca. I didn't stay long and drove home before dark. The program was for 2 days with practical on how to perform the Haj.

I have to take infllenza and pneumococcol vaccine from a local doctor appointed by Tabung Haji. Unfortunately the two times I went there the doctor wasn't in with some excuses given by his receptionists. I wonder how would his patients feel when they come and he is not available? Isn't it ethical to close the clinic and put a sign of apology rather than letting the patients walk in with hope to get treatment form the doctor? It was quite frustrating actually going through repeated experience. That's why I don't mind seeing another doctor whose clinic is further. Finally Tabung Haji directed me to see a lady doctor who is always in her clinic. You can trust the ladies to be faithful in their jobs!






Montel Mok's sleeping style.
















Regal Raisa's sleeping style.









In Pj cuddling with my Mok and Raisa. They are my four-legged therapists!!

Bakawali

Bunga bakawali plant with 3 half-opened flowers.


















One of the unopened flower bud ready to show off its glory.













The back view of the half-opened bakawali.













The bakawali ready to open up for full bloom.















Full bloom bakawali with gentle sweet smell.








Once upon a time, there was an exceedingly beautiful princess in a far, far away land but nobody was able to see and admire her beauty. Everyone was intrique. She slept all day long and only got up at midnight to enjoy the beauty of darkness for a few hours and then back she went again into her dreamland. It was said she was cursed by an evil Queen who envied her extraordinary beauty and would not allow anyone to see it and cast a spell that she would be asleep all day except a few hours at night.

This is is an old story about Puteri Bakawali - by which this flower plant was named and they share the same characteristics. I have 2 pots of bunga bakawali in PD - one pot white in colour and the other pink. I was intrique too and curious to see how bunga bakawali looks like. It blooms only at night for a few hours and go limp soon after. Very few people have actually see the flowers in full bloom. When I saw my white bakawali plant bears 3 flower buds, I was excited and made a point to see it myself when in bloom. So when I saw the buds were going to open, I took the pot inside the apartment and lay awake, waiting. I learned this from my niece, Chom. True enough, at about 12.30 am, the flower buds opened up and by 1.00 am they were in full bloom. Really, they were magnificent and stunning with gentle sweet smell. I took a lot of photos but unfortunately I am a lousy photographer, my pictures do not do justice to the beauty of the flowers. I felt great and satisfied that finally I was able to see them in their glory. I have missed the pink ones once but I will stay awake the next time when they are in bloom again.

By the next morning all three bakawali flowers have gone limped and closed, waiting for time to drop - so pathetic and unattractive.

Anyway, thank you bakawali, you really exude a mystery.

Eventful 2009 Raya

It was a joyous Raya for me. After morning Aidilfitri prayer at the mosque, a door away from my Kg. Tunku house, we waited for Maz and Hazri and my sister Anah and family to come. Sister Rai and family and Juriah and family called to say they would arrive in the afternoon. So we began the Raya routine asking for forgiveness from the youngest to the eldest and this year, I am the oldest in the gathering. My other older brothers were with their respective families.




Since it was such a long time ago that all of us did the aidilfitri salam routine, we forgot how it was done during my parents' days but we successfully recalled the process. It was not as chaotic and fun as before because the nieces and nephews are grown up and there were not so many around. Of course Kak Nor remembers how it was then and Justin saw just a fraction of the process.




Ika salam raya with her husband, Justin.












Izrin salam raya with his sister,Maz.










Izrin salam raya with brother-in-law, Hazri.












As for me, I cannot express how grateful I am to Allah for having my 3 children and sons-in-law with me this year. In silence I shed tears of happiness and pride that I am given another good year of blessed life. I received a big duit raya (cheque) from Maz and that will go to my traveling. Ika and Justin sponsored all the expenditure and Izrin will have his turn once he has his own family. Thanks, Najidah, for the duit raya too and may you and your siblings have a joyous raya as well.

The second day of Raya, Kak Nor and I drove to Melaka. Unfortunaley Ika couldn't join us as she was not well and needed to rest. Maz and Izrin were in Hazri's car and we grouped at Ani's house in Batu Berendam and met more nieces and nephews. The little grandnieces and nephews were thrilled with the duit raya even though it was just a small amount. At my brother's, Mahir, house in Padang Temu, another kecoh with more relatives. Everyone was thrilled seeing Kak Nor again after such a long time - more than 15 years, as she is still our family member, no matter what. We moved to Fuzian's house in Tanjung Kling (my parents' old house) and visited my father's and my eldest brother's graves there.




At Ani's house in Melaka on 2nd Raya.








This happy occasion was marred by a disgusting incident in the car park of my PD apartment. Parking space was full and I parked at an empty space. I told a Chinese guy there that I would come back in 10 minutes after putting some food in my apartment and he said OK. Suddenly I was yelled at by a gangster-like Chinese guy who scolded and cursed me and said I blocked the way out. I did not! He is really a Chinaman ba******d with no manners and a shame to the country. He should pack up and go back to China where he belong! Kak Nor was shocked at his behaviour and his rudeness and said that's not a Malaysian behaviour that she knew. He had no reason to scold me. Arrogance and impatience and intolerance are the acquired manners of some stupid Malaysians. Though it upset me, both of us laughed and said let him go to hell and I am glad I made him angry. Hope his blood pressure shot up!!

I encountered another event with another arrogance Chinaman at the car park. One stupid Chinaman reversed his car without looking and banged on the side of my car and refused to pay RM100 I demanded. He said he has to paint his 4 wheel drive but it was a mere scratch while my car was dented. He just gave me RM60.00 and I was foolish enough to take it. When I went to make a police report, the policeman said I shouldn't take the money as taking the money means I agree to settle. What infuriated me was he blamed me instead and never said sorry. So I learn, If I want to make a police report, do not take the money and go straight to police station and make a report and he would get a Rm300 fine. Wow, this is the intricacy of dealing with minor car accidents that I have to know. So Kak Nor and I discussed and decided not to lodge the report. These incidents just spoiled my day. Other than this, it was a happy day.





Razali and family spent 4th Raya with me at PD. Thank you Razali for thinking of me.












With Rose, Razali's wife, kak Nor and Nuera, Razali's daughter at PD aprtment.








On 3rd Raya, 22nd Sept 09, I went back to PD after doing the usual round in Melaka. The next day Haidi's parents and siblings came for Raya followed by Razali's family, on 23rd Sept 2009 in the afternoon. It was really wonderful seeing him, wife, Rose and the children. Well, they have not forgotten their Nek Zu.


Thank you Ika, Justin, Maz, Hazri and Izrin for making me a very happy parent for this Raya. May Allah bless all of you and pray we'll spend more rayas together. Thank you Kak Nor for deciding to spend your Raya with us in Malaysia and hope you have a good trip back to Adelaide.